GOD’S SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM

1 SAMUEL 7:1-14

These verses tell the story of Israel’s turning back to God under Samuel’s guidance. When they were urged to put away their idols and return to their God, they were ready. The text says, “all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD” (v. 2). No mention is made as to what created the “longing” for God, but it most likely had to do with the oppression that they experienced under the Philistines. Ever since the Garden of Eden, disobedience has had a way of seeming attractive and full of promise. But when we turn away from God, things never work out the way we anticipate they will.

It may be that the message concerning what to do in order to “return to the LORD” (v. 3) had been preached by Samuel in all the cities where he traveled. The message makes it clear that there’s more to renewing a covenant than desire. There are things to do. First, those things which had replaced God in their affections were to be put away. In their case, it was the male and female deities worshiped by the Canaanites. Samuel pleaded that they “put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths” (v. 4). These gods were connected with the fertility cults and with all sorts of sexual immorality. The strong armies of the Philistines had established political control, but it was the gods of the Philistines that captured the soul of Israel.

Often the greatest dangers Christians face are not from external coercion but from our attraction to “other gods.” We spend billions in our country each year for what we call “national defense” to keep our nation free. Yet we have used that precious freedom to fall down and worship the gods of materialism and hedonism, the prizing of things and the exalting of pleasure.

We have a problem, but God has a solution. This is not a personal problem, it is a cooperate problem. One that can only be solved when we realize we all need to cooperate and face it together. Are you willing to join me in the solution of our problem?

I. SEE THE PROBLEM

A. God had not been their primary focus.

Losing the presence of God is not what some called losing one’s salvation. Even though you may be secure about your salvation, your day by day walk with the Lord may have dried up because you have not sought his daily presents. Therefore, just as Israel had to seek the ark of the covenant, the Samuel fast is your opportunity to see the reentry of the glory of God‘s presence in to your life.

B. There were in their state of being because of their sinful choices.

1) Apathy

2) Backslidden state

3) Excuses

C. Recognize Our State of Being. “Israel lamented after the Lord.” (2)

Before we can find a solution we must recognize the problem. When we willfully sin, we becomes a backslider, whether taking 1 or 100 steps away from God. The fact that a person has apparently gotten away with a first step away from God, and escape punishment gives the person false confidence to take more steps away from God. We do not sense the urgency for forgiveness and cleansing. So we become enslaved or embondaged to that sin or habit. It doesn’t bother us anymore.

II. ACCEPT GOD’S SOLUTION

A. Getting Serious about our Situation (3) Owning up to our part.

The results of individual and corporate fasting are different from each other. Individual fasting makes a person individually responsible to God. Corporate fasting makes a person responsible for what God does to the corporate body. There is a time for your church to fast, or for those in your Bible study to join together with a spiritual vow not to eat until God answers your corporate prayer. Individual fasting makes a person individually responsible to God. "When ye fast … fast unto my Father" (Matt. 6:18), corporate fasting makes a person responsible for what God does to the corporate body.

"Gather all Israel" (I Sam. 7:5)

B. Internal and External Expression.

The longing of our hearts to be right with God needs tangible, external expressions. To read the Scripture aloud in private devotion, to pray aloud, or even to write one’s feelings in a journal all help externalize and focus our feelings about God. As was true with Israel, our turning needs to be done in the context of the community of believers. This is why public worship on a regular basis helps us to confess our sins and find closure on the past and free us for the days ahead. Fasting is an external expression of the seriousness of our prayers and petitions.

C. We must demonstrate genuine Repentance and Sorrow.

1 Sam 7:3, “Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

III. TRUST AND RELYING ON GOD TO ANSWER AND SUPPLY STRENGTH

A. Expect Opposition - Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines” (7:7).

Remember Satan is the prince and power of the air and he hates any movement of God. He may try to persuade you to quit, but you must remember he is a defeated foe. Don’t allow him to interrupt your fast, put other thoughts in your head temp you to quit, interrupt your schedule, discourage you or generally attack you fast.

B. Depending on God. “Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines” (7:8).

C. Celebrate His Answer. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”